Hotel manager
Oversee all aspects of running a hotel so guests can enjoy their stay and the hotel makes a profit.
About the job
Three things you should know – Hotel manager
What it's like
Looking for a senior role in hospitality? As a hotel manager, you'll oversee every area of a hotel to make sure it runs smoothly.
Your main responsibility is to make sure guests enjoy their stay while the hotel turns a profit. You'll oversee housekeeping services such as room cleaning and building maintenance. You need strong business skills to manage the hotel's budget and marketing initiatives.
Large hotels may have a manager for each department, reporting to the general manager. In smaller hotels, the manager is more involved in the day-to-day running of things, often dealing directly with guests. You'll need to be tactful and able to quickly sort out any problems guests may have.
Your tasks might include:
using financial information and statistics to set annual budgets
managing the hotel's staff – including porters, receptionists and waiters
dealing with complaints and comments from guests when they arise
staying up to date with the building's maintenance needs
promoting your hotel to companies who may use your facilities to host conferences and entertain clients
making sure your hotel follows regulations, such as licensing laws
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Career Scope – explore careers in hospitality, leisure and tourism
Travelodge YouTube channel – watch a day in the life of a Travelodge hotel manager
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Hotel manager'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
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Restaurant manager
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Tourism and hospitality
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- motivating others
- making decisions
- delegating
- managing resources
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- verbal communication
- cooperating
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Administration and Information Technology
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Business in Practice
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Business Management
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Cantonese
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French
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German
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Italian
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Mandarin
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Skills for Work: Hospitality
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Spanish
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Urdu
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Business Skills
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Modern Languages
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are a few routes you can take to become a hotel manager in Scotland.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects, such as:
Hospitality Management
Hotel Management
International Hospitality Management
Tourism and Hospitality Management
Business Management
Event Management
Use the My World of Work course search to find relevant degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you secure a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Hospitality Management
Hospitality Operations
Travel and Tourism
Business
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You'll get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Hospitality Management Skills Technical.
Work
You can become a hotel manager by getting an entry-level hospitality job and working your way up. You can use the My World of Work job search to look for job vacancies.
Volunteering in a hospitality role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a hotel manager. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
It's useful if you can speak a foreign language.
A driving licence may be essential for some jobs.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Hotel manager'
